Can I Use ChatGPT in China? (2025 Guide to AI Tools Behind the Firewall)

No, ChatGPT does not work in China without a VPN.

OpenAI's ChatGPT, along with most Western AI tools, is blocked by China's Great Firewall. This includes:

• ❌ ChatGPT (web and app)
• ❌ Claude (Anthropic)
• ❌ Google Gemini / Bard
• ❌ Microsoft Copilot (partially)
• ❌ Perplexity AI
• ❌ Midjourney

Here's how to access them, plus Chinese alternatives that work perfectly.

Why AI Tools Are Blocked

China blocks AI services for several reasons:

1. Content control - AI can generate content outside government oversight
2. Data security - Concerns about data going to US companies
3. Promoting domestic AI - Protecting Chinese AI companies

How to Use ChatGPT in China

Method 1: VPN (Most Reliable)

A VPN routes your connection through servers outside China, bypassing the block.

Setup:

1. Install VPN app before arriving in China
2. Connect to a server in US, Japan, or Singapore
3. Open ChatGPT normally

VPNs that work for ChatGPT in China:

• ExpressVPN - Most consistent
• Astrill - Popular with expats
• NordVPN - Good value
• Surfshark - Budget option

See our complete VPN guide.

Important notes:

• Download VPN before entering China
• ChatGPT app works better than website on VPN
• Speed may be slower than normal
• Some VPN servers work better than others

Method 2: Hong Kong SIM Roaming

Hong Kong SIM cards roaming in mainland China often bypass the firewall:

• ChatGPT works
• No VPN needed
• But: More expensive than local SIM

Options:

• China Mobile Hong Kong
• 3HK
• CSL

Method 3: International Roaming

Your home carrier's roaming might bypass China's firewall:

• Depends on how your carrier routes data
• Test with mobile data (not WiFi)
• Expensive for heavy use

ChatGPT Alternatives That Work in China

If VPN is unreliable or you want to try Chinese AI:

Kimi (月之暗面)

Best for: Long documents, research, Chinese content

Website: kimi.moonshot.cn

Pros:

• No VPN needed
• 200,000 character context window
• Excellent Chinese language
• Good at summarizing long texts
• Free tier available

Cons:

• Less capable than ChatGPT-4
• Some censorship on sensitive topics

Doubao (豆包) by ByteDance

Best for: General conversation, quick answers

Website: doubao.com or app

Pros:

• Made by TikTok's parent company
• Fast responses
• Free to use
• Good mobile app
• Integration with other ByteDance services

Cons:

• Censored content
• Less sophisticated reasoning

Tongyi Qianwen (通义千问) by Alibaba

Best for: Business, e-commerce, Chinese writing

Website: tongyi.aliyun.com

Pros:

• Powerful language model
• Good for professional use
• API available
• Free tier generous

Cons:

• Interface in Chinese only
• Censorship on political topics

Wenxin Yiyan (文心一言) by Baidu

Best for: Chinese language tasks, integrated with Baidu

Website: yiyan.baidu.com

Pros:

• Integrated with Baidu search
• Good Chinese language capabilities
• Image generation included
• Free tier available

Cons:

• Requires Chinese phone number (can be tricky)
• Heavy censorship

DeepSeek

Best for: Coding, technical tasks

Website: chat.deepseek.com

Pros:

• Strong coding capabilities
• Reasonably priced API
• Good English support
• Less censorship than others

Cons:

• Less known brand
• Smaller model options

Comparison: ChatGPT vs Chinese AI

Feature	ChatGPT (via VPN)	Kimi	Doubao
Access	VPN required	Direct	Direct
Speed in China	Depends on VPN	Fast	Fast
English capability	Excellent	Good	Good
Chinese capability	Good	Excellent	Excellent
Censorship	None	Some	Some
Free tier	Limited	Yes	Yes
Cost (paid)	$20/month	Cheaper	Free

Specific Use Cases

For Translation

Best option: Kimi or Doubao

• Work natively in China
• Excellent Chinese-English translation
• Understand Chinese cultural context

For Coding Help

Best option: ChatGPT via VPN or DeepSeek

• More capable at complex code
• Better documentation knowledge
• DeepSeek is surprisingly good

For Business Writing

Best option: Tongyi Qianwen (in Chinese) or ChatGPT (in English)

• Professional tone
• Business context understanding

For Travel Assistance

Best option: Doubao or Kimi

• Understand Chinese place names
• Can read Chinese menus/signs
• Local knowledge

Tips for Using AI in China

Before Your Trip

1. Download VPN and test with ChatGPT
2. Create accounts for Chinese AI alternatives
3. Download ChatGPT app (works better than web on VPN)

During Your Trip

1. Use VPN during strong WiFi times (hotel evening)
2. Switch to Chinese AI for quick tasks
3. Have both options ready

Offline Options

Some AI features work offline:

• Google Translate (download Chinese package)
• Some translation apps have offline mode
• ChatGPT mobile app caches recent conversations

Claude, Gemini, and Other AI Tools

Claude (Anthropic)

• ❌ Blocked in China
• ✅ Works with VPN
• Similar to ChatGPT experience

Google Gemini (formerly Bard)

• ❌ Blocked in China (Google is blocked)
• ✅ Works with VPN
• Part of blocked Google ecosystem

Microsoft Copilot

• ⚠️ Partially works
• Bing is blocked, but some Copilot features work
• Inconsistent experience

Perplexity AI

• ❌ Blocked
• ✅ Works with VPN
• Good for research with sources

Quick Answers

Can I use the ChatGPT app in China?

Not without VPN. The app won't connect without bypassing the firewall.

Will my ChatGPT subscription work?

Yes, your subscription works fine. You just need VPN to access it.

Are Chinese AI tools safe to use?

They're operated by major Chinese companies under local regulations. Avoid discussing sensitive political topics. Data is stored in China.

Can I use AI for work in China?

Yes, but be aware that Chinese AI tools may log conversations. For sensitive business discussions, use ChatGPT via VPN.

Do Chinese AI tools require phone number?

Some do (like Baidu's tool). Others like Kimi and Doubao accept email signup.

Summary

Tool	Status in China	Solution
ChatGPT	❌ Blocked	VPN
Claude	❌ Blocked	VPN
Gemini	❌ Blocked	VPN
Kimi	✅ Works	None needed
Doubao	✅ Works	None needed
Tongyi	✅ Works	None needed
DeepSeek	✅ Works	None needed

Bottom line: Install a VPN for ChatGPT access, but also try Chinese AI tools—they're surprisingly capable and more convenient when you're in China.

---

The China Survival Kit includes VPN setup guides, app recommendations, and offline tools for when internet access fails.